‘The Ranch’: Here’s How Danny Masterson Was Written Off the Netflix Sitcom

When Netflix cut ties with “The Ranch” star Danny Masterson last December, the big question was how his character would be written out of the show. And now that Part 5 is out in the world, we know the answer: Jameson “Rooster” Bennett gets run out of town.

As fans of the show will remember, Masterson’s character was at the center of Part 4’s biggest cliffhanger. Colt (Ashton Kutcher) and Rooster went behind their father Beau’s (Sam Elliott) back to buy the ranch next door, taking advantage of the power of attorney Rooster was granted following Beau’s heart attack.

But when the natural gas pipeline project that was going to be their financial windfall eventually fell through, the brothers Bennett were left with the check for a ranch they couldn’t afford.

At the time, it seemed there was no obvious way for the show to neatly tie up Rooster’s storylines, and Masterson ended up appearing in all 10 of the new episodes before ultimately making his exit in the very final moments of Part 5.

Early on in the season — which sees the Bennett family fracture even further as a wildfire threatens the ranch — Rooster rekindles his romance with Mary (Megyn Price). The trouble is Mary’s boyfriend Nick (Josh Burrows) has recently been released from prison.

Part 5 ends with a confrontation, once Nick learns of the affair. He gives Rooster a choice — pack a bag and leave town or stare down the barrel of a loaded gun. “You tell anyone about this,” Nick warns him, “and I’ll start with your family.”

Given Netflix’s unambiguous split with Masterson, Rooster seems likely to keep up his end of the deal and stay gone.

Netflix fired Masterson from “The Ranch” in December after five women came forward with rape or sexual misconduct accusations against him dating back to the early 2000s. Masterson has denied the accusations, and said in a statement shortly after his firing that he was “very disappointed” in the decision.

“From day one, I have denied the outrageous allegations against me,” he said at the time. “Law enforcement investigated these claims more than 15 years ago and determined them to be without merit. I have never been charged with a crime, let alone convicted of one. In this country, you are presumed innocent until proven guilty.”